XX.
A blithesome rout, that morning tide,[203]
Had sought the chapel of St. Bride.
Her troth Tombea’s[204] Mary gave
To Norman, heir of Armandave,[205]
And, issuing from the Gothic arch,
The bridal[206] now resumed their march.
In rude, but glad procession, came
Bonneted sire and coif-clad dame;
And plaided youth, with jest and jeer,
Which snooded maiden would not hear;
And children, that, unwitting[207] why,
Lent the gay shout their shrilly cry;
And minstrels, that in measures vied
Before the young and bonny bride,
Whose downcast eye and cheek disclose
The tear and blush of morning rose.
With virgin step, and bashful hand,
She held the kerchief’s snowy band;
The gallant bridegroom, by her side,
Beheld his prize with victor’s pride,
And the glad mother in her ear
Was closely whispering word of cheer.